Water: Action at a Distance, Light Speed Computation, Distributed Memory - Dr. Michael Hughes, #302
Nov 25, 2024
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In this intriguing discussion, Dr. Michael Hughes, a biochemist at St. Jude's Research Hospital, delves into the dynamic role of water in cellular processes. He reveals water's surprising capabilities as a signaling and computational entity within cells, challenging traditional views of it as merely a solvent. Exciting concepts such as structured water, osmotic pressure, and even water's memory are explored. The conversation prompts a rethink of water's fundamental importance, linking its behavior to metabolic processes and cellular dynamics.
Water plays a critical and active role in cellular processes, challenging the traditional view of it as a passive medium.
The dynamic properties of pH significantly influence water's behavior and cellular interactions, affecting protein functionality and folding.
Electrical conductivity within biological systems is intricately connected to water structures and ion interactions, impacting cellular stability and solubility.
Protein functionality is heavily dependent on hydration dynamics, with specific water interactions essential for proteins like ATP synthase to operate optimally.
Emerging research on water memory suggests that water retains organizational properties, opening new avenues for exploring its role in biochemistry.
Deep dives
Water's Role in Cellular Processes
Water is not merely a passive participant in cellular processes; it plays a critical role in regulating phenomena such as pH and osmotic pressure. Traditionally, water has been viewed as a background player, yet it facilitates faster signal transmission within cells compared to the movement of solute molecules. Michael Hughes suggests that ‘water islands’ within cells can effectively communicate changes at significantly higher speeds, impacting how biochemistry functions over short distances. This insight challenges existing paradigms in biology and emphasizes the need to understand water's dynamic properties in biochemistry.
pH as a Mechanism of Change
The podcast emphasizes the importance of understanding pH not just as a static measure but as a dynamic mechanism that affects cellular interactions. pH influences the behavior of water molecules and the surrounding environment, impacting how proteins fold or unfold, which is crucial for their functionality. The way protons interact with water and existing proteins demonstrates how pH can serve as a control mechanism in biological systems. This nuanced view indicates that a slight alteration in pH can lead to significant changes in cellular outcomes.
Electrical Conductivity and Water Structure
Electrical conductivity within biological systems relates closely to water's structure and how it responds to dissolved ions. Different ions affect the arrangement of water molecules around them, leading to changes in conductivity and behavior. While strong charges may destabilize water structures, weaker charges can enhance stability and solubility, highlighting water's unique properties as a solvent. The dynamic interaction between charged molecules and water suggests a sophisticated level of organization and communication within cellular environments.
The Influence of Hydration on Protein Function
Protein functionality heavily relies on the hydration environment, which is influenced by the surrounding water structure. The way water interacts with proteins determines how effectively they can undergo necessary conformational changes to perform biological functions. Certain proteins, such as ATP synthase, require specific hydration interactions for optimal operation, implying that water's role goes beyond mere suspicion. This highlights the intricate connection between water dynamics and protein biochemistry in maintaining cellular health.
Homeopathic Perspectives on Water Memory
Water memory, often dismissed by the scientific community, is gaining attention due to the nuanced structure of water and its interactions with other molecules. Research indicates that water can retain organizational properties, influenced by its interactions with various substances, which could explain phenomena related to homeopathy. The idea that water can carry and transmit information or memories opens an intriguing dialogue between traditional beliefs and modern science. Michael Hughes’ insights reflect the potential for legitimate scientific exploration of these unconventional notions.
Osmotic Pressure and Cellular Dynamics
Osmotic pressure is a critical force that drives cell metabolism, influencing how nutrients and waste products are moved in and out of cells. Water flows towards higher solute concentrations, but this phenomenon is also characterized by the hydration states of ions, which dictate cellular activity. The interplay between osmotic pressure, solute concentration, and water structure complicates the traditional view of chemical reactions. This more intricate understanding can provide new avenues for exploring diseases linked to cellular dysfunction and pressure dynamics.
Implications for Cancer and Disease Understanding
The discussion suggests that current approaches to understanding diseases like cancer may overlook the significant roles of water dynamics and osmotic pressure. It posits that recognizing these elements could lead to better insights into the mechanisms underlying various diseases. Michael emphasizes that changes at the molecular level—triggered by water and charge interactions—can result in profound developmental alterations. This perspective advocates for a re-evaluation of how we approach disease treatment, positing that water's properties may be integral to solutions.
Connections between Physics and Biology
The relationship between biological phenomena and physical laws, such as electrical conductivity and fluid dynamics, is a central theme in the discussion. Comparing the behaviors of water in biological systems to that in physics can provide a clearer understanding of how life operates on a molecular level. Specifically, the electrical potential across membranes can serve as an analogy for current in circuits, revealing the interconnectedness of physics and cell biology. This insight could reshape our understanding of cellular activity and foster innovative approaches to biologically-informed designs.
Future Directions in Water Research
Looking ahead, the conversation highlights a burgeoning interest in researching water's properties further, particularly regarding its role in biological systems. Michael Hughes expresses a desire to explore experimental tests to determine how water dynamics influence cellular behavior and health. The aim is to publish findings as part of a growing body of knowledge that regards water as an active participant rather than an inert medium. By advancing this field of study, researchers can potentially unlock new pathways toward understanding complex biological processes.
Today we're back, for a third podcast, with long time friend of the pod, Dr. Michael Hughes - a biochemist at St. Jude's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. We plunge into the secret story of water, revealing its role as more than a silent spectator in the dance of cellular processes. Like a conductor in an unseen ballet, water’s dynamic and nuanced structures orchestrate communication across cells, acting as a transient computationally competent actuator. Michael reveals how much of this story has been buried for years under blanket abstractions like "pH" and electrochemistry. We see the emergence of a new paradigm in cellular computation, as we uncover how water may not just be the medium of life — at times it’s perhaps every bit as alive as we are.
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References from Michael:
Na+ vs K+ water dynamics: https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2017/sc/c6sc03320b ; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23713450/
Ion pairing & Collins’ Law of water affinity: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033583519000106
Kosmotropes/Chaotropes ion pairing in biochemistry review: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4693242/
Osmotic pressure influences stem cell differentiation: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1705179114
Hydration as a primary factor in carcinogenesis: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16271440/
Distinguishing electrical properties of cancer cells: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S157106452200063X
Heart is not a pump: https://rsarchive.org/OtherAuthors/MarinelliRalph/marinelli1.html
Laszlo Boros water metabolism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0g8OLChXta8
(00:00) Go!
(00:09:24) Revisiting Water's Unknowns in Biology
(00:22:44) Osmotic Pressure as Dark Matter
(00:30:38) Water Molecule Interactions
(00:35:37) Collective Motion and Electricity
(00:44:35) Memory of Water, for Real
(00:48:09) Disappearing Polymorphs and Chemical Synthesis
(00:51:05) Understanding Water Freezing and Supercooling
(00:59:05) pH, Charge, and Biological Systems
(01:08:38) Tetrahedral Ordering in Water Structures
(01:17:01) Energy Transfer and Cellular Connectivity
(01:30:00) Back to pH
(01:39:10) Cosmotropes and Chaotropes
(01:49:57) Ion Dynamics in Cells
(01:57:15) Unconventional Views on Consciousness and Physiology
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